Oxidation numbers

[MafruhaR]

What is the purpose of using oxidation numbers to balance redox equations, and how do you assign oxidation numbers to different elements?

[jamesw27]

The purpose of using oxidation numbers is to ensure that the oxidation states of all elements are conserved. These states are determined by their chemical properties and position on the periodic table.

[Miyown Meeks 2F]

Hi, so the oxidation number of an element is equal to the charge of that element. You need to use oxidation numbers to balance redox reactions to ensure that the charges on each side of the reaction are balanced, and that the number of electrons being transferred during redox is the same for both half reactions. You can assign oxidation numbers to elements based on where they are located on the periodic table, but it is also important to remember that there are some special rules. Like for example, when an element is in it's standard form it's oxidation number is zero( ex: O2 exists naturally in this form as a diatomic gas so it's oxidation number is zero, when in most other cases the oxidation number of oxygen is -2).

[Isabelle Huerta 2I]

We use oxidation numbers when balancing redox equations because it helps us to track the transfer of electrons from reactants and products. We assign oxidation numbers to allow us the identification of elements that are oxidized (lost electrons) and which got reduced (gained electrons) during any reaction. When assigning oxidation numbers, we assign hydrogen a number of +1, oxygen a number of -2, and the sum of oxidation numbers in a neutral compound of 0.